Explore Africa: Cape Town to Windhoek

DAY 1 – CAPE TOWN

Your journey begins in a city that has drawn adventurers to Africa for centuries. Few places can rival Cape Town’s spectacular setting, nestled between the Table Mountain and the sea. Discover everything this multicultural melting pot has to offer during a city tour: Head to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for a pleasant stroll or ascend to the top of Table Mountain via its iconic cable car and take in stunning views of it all (optional).

Round off the day by joining your fellow travelers for an excursion to Signal Hill and a special welcoming dinner.

Overnight: The Commodore Hotel (or similar). Meals included: Dinner (D).

DAY 2 – THE AFRICAN EXPLORER

Board a legend to begin your South African train tour. Discover the unmatchable ease of rail travel, as the African Explorer whisks you past verdant valleys and through the dramatic tunnels of the Hex River Mountains.

Stop in Matjiesfontein to soak up this tiny railroad town’s colonial flair including the charming Victorian-era Lord Milner Hotel.

Overnight on board. Meals included: Breakfast (B), lunch (L) and dinner (D).

DAY 3 – ACROSS SOUTHERN AFRICA

A day of once-in-a-lifetime views enjoyed from the comfort of your private train. Enjoy the entertaining lectures on local customs and culture.

Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 4 – AUGRABIES NATIONAL PARK

Today you visit Upington and Augrabies National Park. You’ll stand at its world-famous waterfalls, your senses coming alive in the face of their thunderous roar and refreshing spray. A truly invigorating wonder of the world! As the early evening sets in, your train takes you further north.

Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 5 – FISH RIVER CANYON

Welcome to Namibia! This is a land of color and texture, with landscapes almost too staggering to take in. Sweeping grounds of deep, ancient ochre. A huge, aquamarine sky. Animals in the distance, shimmering in the heat.

In the afternoon, attend a biltong tasting—but not before discovering Fish River Canyon.

Fish River Canyon is the largest in Africa and the second largest in the world. Stare across its vast space and feel majesty, awe and perspective on this most stunning of Namibia train tours.

Overnight on board. (BLD)

DAY 6 – GHOST TOWN

Diamonds were discovered in Kolmanskop in 1908, drawing money and miners in droves. But today it’s a Teutonic ghost town with abandoned buildings covered knee-deep in sand for you to explore. A quick bus trip through Namibia’s heavily restricted diamond zone takes you to Lüderitz, a historic port town nestled on the dramatic Atlantic coastline and further on to famous Diaz Point.

Overnight on board. (BD)

DAY 7 – NAMIB NAUKLUFT NATIONAL PARK

In the morning, you arrive in Mariental, from where a bus ride (approx. 4 h) brings you to your lodge. Via the Zarieshoogte pass, untarred roads lead you to the plain of the Namib Naukluft National Park. Your lodge is a lonely oasis in the midst of the wilderness—a perfect place for star-gazing.

On request: a panoramic flight over this breath-taking landscape.

Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). (BD)

DAY 8 – SAND DUNE GIANTS

Stand atop mighty orange-red giants—the biggest sand dunes in the world. Sculptural, ochre sand waves, waxing and waning, the drama of rippling black shadow and a vast, perfect sky under a searing-hot sun. Take in the alien beauty of the Namib Desert. It feels like outer space. These are the images you’ve seen a thousand times in photographs but nothing can prepare you for the sight in real life.

Climb a dune and join a tour with open-top vehicles as the sun begins to set. You’ll never forget the natural beauty you witnessed today.

Overnight: Namib Desert Lodge (or similar). (BD)

DAY 9 – WALVIS BAY AND SWAKOPMUND

Head back to the coast to Walvis Bay—named after the whales that still frolic by this deep-water port city. Look for pink flamingos strutting along the lagoon and then continue your day’s air-conditioned bus journey to Swakopmund, famous for its exceptional examples of colonial architecture.

Overnight on board. (BD)

DAY 10 – SPITZKOPPE

Marvel at the craggy, barren dome of the Spitzkoppe—the tawny granite peak known as Namibia’s Matterhorn. Hunter-gatherer artwork on the rocks here speaks to the fascination this famous landmark has long held for humankind. Then prepare for beaming smiles and friendly laughter, as you visit a school* for local Damara children.

Overnight on board. (BLD)

*Term time only.

DAY 11 – ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK

The seemingly endless, shimmering white plain you’re standing on is the largest salt flat in Africa. With the mineral crust crunching underfoot and the horizon going on forever, it’s easy to understand why this was named the Great White Place. Watch as elephants, giraffes and countless other wild animals congregate near watering holes while crossing the entire park by bus. If you’re lucky, you might even see a rare black rhino before sunset.

Overnight: Mokuti Lodge (or similar). (BD)

DAY 12 – ON SAFARI

Jump into a jeep and go on safari in the golden light of the morning. Seek out creatures of the feathered, furry and fanged kind right where they live. Then return to rail, stopping in the evening to experience braai—a traditional African barbecue—right by your train, beneath a fabulous starry sky.

Overnight on board. (BD)

DAY 13 – WINDHOEK

With luck, the morning’s unique train route will be a veritable safari. It passes through private game farms, where giraffe, antelope and ostrich are often visible from the train.

The Namibian capital Windhoek draws near. A tour of the city brings you to the Christ Church, which combines Germanic neo-Gothic design with local African sandstone. After this, stop off at the Namibian parliament building.

You’ll visit the township Katutura and a local market, before relaxing into your hotel. Then a special dinner in celebration of your exceptional journey and to say farewell to your fellow travelers.

Overnight: AVANI Windhoek Hotel & Casino (or similar). (BLD)

DAY 14 – FAREWELL NAMIBIA

Transfer to the airport and look back at your rail adventure. You’ve become a true African Explorer. (B)

Highlights of the Journey

• 2,200 miles/3,600 kilometers of railroad in style, aboard the private African Explorer train.

• Tasting fine South African wines.

• The otherworldly Namib Naukluft National Park.

• Lüderitz—the first German colonial settlement in then South West Africa.

• The Kolmanskop ghost town.

• The high plateau of the Aus Mountains.

• Pristine examples of German colonial architecture in Swakopmund.

• The Spitzkoppe—the granite peak known as Namibia’s Matterhorn.

• Braai—a traditional African barbecue.

• Windhoek’s blend of modern Africa and German heritage.